Susan R. Hutchings

Durango resident Susan R. Hutchings died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at her home. She was 59.

Mrs. Hutchings was born to Louis and Joanne Rhinehart on Oct. 3, 1953, in Hot Springs, S.D. She grew up in several places around the country because of her parents’ careers in civil service, particularly teaching for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

After graduating from high school in Walton, N.Y., she served in the Army and attended the University of Colorado.

On June 5, 1993, she married Robert Frederic Hutchings in Berthoud. They moved to Durango in 1997.

“Susan had a deep appreciation for country Western music,” her brother, Louis Rhinehart, said. “Susan loved animals through her youth and adulthood and dedicated much of her time to care for and advocate for animals. She died of a broken heart.”

Mrs. Hutchings was preceded in death by her husband of 18 years, Robert Hutchings, on Jan. 31, 2012.